Reduced operator algebras of trace-preserving quantum automorphism groups

Let $B$ be a finite dimensional C$^\ast$-algebra equipped with its canonical trace induced by the regular representation of $B$ on itself. In this paper, we study various properties of the trace-preserving quantum automorphism group $\G$ of $B$. We prove that the discrete dual quantum group $\hG$ has the property of rapid decay, the reduced von Neumann algebra $L^\infty(\G)$ has the Haagerup property and is solid, and that $L^\infty(\G)$ is (in most cases) a prime type II$_1$-factor. As applications of these and other results, we deduce the metric approximation property, exactness, simplicity and uniqueness of trace for the reduced $C^\ast$-algebra $C_r(\G)$, and the existence of a multiplier-bounded approximate identity for the convolution algebra $L^1(\G)$.